Is This Relative Unknown at the Top of Clinton’s V.P. Shortlist?

With the Democratic National Convention mere weeks away, there has been an uptick in speculation as to whom the two presumptive nominees, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, will tap as their vice-presidential running mates. With Trump’s list of V.P contenders seemingly getting shorter, a relatively unknown has emerged as a frontrunner in Clinton’s veepstakes: Tom Perez. Thanks to his policy views, temperament, and strong personal and professional relationships with the former secretary of state, it seems that the labor secretary has landed himself on the likely Democratic nominee’s shortlist.

Perez, who has served in President Barack Obama’s cabinet since 2013, doesn’t have the same name recognition or political experience as some of the other individuals rumored to be in consideration for Clinton’s ticket, but he certainly checks off enough other boxes to keep him in the running for the No. 2 job. As a Latino with a strong progressive track record during his time at the labor department helm, a Perez V.P. pick could help Clinton get Bernie Sanders supporters on board while also appealing to the crucial Latino voting base. The politician has also proven, Politico reports, that he is willing to put his personal credentials at risk to go to bat for Clinton, whom he officially endorsed in October of last year. Labeled by Mother Jones as one of the Obama administration’s “most stalwart progressives,” a Perez selection would ease some of the fears within the Democratic Party that a second Clinton presidency would do little to help the middle class. Perhaps more important, picking Perez wouldn’t put a coveted blue Senate seat in a state with a Republican governor at risk—a scenario likely to imperil Ohio’s Sherrod Brown or New Jersey’s Cory Booker.

Perez could also help Clinton navigate some of the treacherous waters currently ensnaring Democratic politics. Throughout the election cycle, Clinton has faced backlash for originally backing the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal only to walk back her support later. Sanders attacked her during a primary debate in the fall of last year for her calls to renegotiate the deal after previously referring to it as the “gold standard.” Just last week, Elizabeth Warren also condemned the deal and urged activists to fight against it in a video message. Perez, on the other hand, is a vocal—and tactful—supporter of the trade pact. In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press last week, Perez said, “This is not the first time in the history of the Democratic Party that there have been differences of opinion.” In the same interview, Perez also demonstrated his ability as an attack dog against Trump, which is one of the chief selling points of an otherwise problematic Warren vice presidency. “It’s all about judgment and Donald Trump is such a volatile individual and what I have seen working with Secretary Clinton is that she is a steady hand,” he said, adding that Trump is a “train wreck for American values.”

With what will undoubtedly be an incredibly ugly general election looming, Clinton will need someone by her side who can not only back her own policies but also help present a strong, united front against Trump and the Republican Party. Perez, with his sunny demeanor but quick wit, is looking more and more like he might be the right person for the job.